Williams Racing has confirmed a notable driver lineup change for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, announcing that Academy driver Luke Browning will take the wheel in place of Carlos Sainz during the first Free Practice session (FP1) this weekend. The decision aligns with Formula 1 regulations requiring teams to allocate two FP1 sessions per car to rookie drivers over the course of the season, and it marks a significant opportunity for the young British talent to showcase his skills on an F1 stage.
Luke Browning, a 23-year-old rising star in the Williams Racing Driver Academy, is currently competing in his debut full season in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Hitech GP. He has already made waves in 2025, securing a podium finish in the Sprint Race in Australia and sitting third in the F2 standings. This FP1 outing will be Browning’s second appearance in an F1 practice session, following his debut with Williams at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he also participated in the post-season Young Driver Test.
The Grove-based team’s decision comes as part of their ongoing commitment to nurturing young talent, a strategy that has recently seen success with Academy graduate Franco Colapinto stepping up to an F1 race seat in 2024. Browning’s participation in Bahrain fulfills one of Williams’ four mandated rookie sessions for the 2025 season, offering him valuable track time in the FW47 while providing the team with critical data ahead of the race weekend.
“Being given another opportunity to drive in a Free Practice session with Williams is a dream come true,” Browning said in a statement released by the team. “I’m getting more and more confident each time I drive the car. My main aim for FP1 is to get more comfortable with the procedures and environment that come with Formula 1, and to build on my experience from Abu Dhabi last December. I’m excited to feel the progression from the FW46 to the FW47.”
Williams Sporting Director Sven Smeets praised Browning’s development, highlighting his readiness for the challenge. “Luke has made strong progress since his first Formula 2 weekend last year and scored good points in the opening race of the season in Australia,” Smeets noted. “His previous FP1 experience, participation in our TPC [Testing of Previous Cars] programme, and simulator work have prepared him well for this weekend, and we look forward to seeing him take this next step forward in his development.”
To prepare for his Bahrain appearance, Browning completed a TPC session last weekend at Monza in the 2023-spec FW45, alongside fellow Williams junior Victor Martins. The Bahrain International Circuit, a familiar venue due to its use in pre-season testing and junior formula events, is seen as an ideal proving ground for rookies, with several other teams also opting to field young drivers in FP1 this weekend.
For Carlos Sainz, who joined Williams from Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season, the move means a temporary step back from track time as he continues to adapt to his new team. Despite a challenging start to the year—marked by a crash in Australia, a single point in China, and a P14 finish in Japan—team principal James Vowles remains optimistic about Sainz’s potential. “I’d be shocked if he needs five races,” Vowles recently told Motorsport.com. “The way he operates, the way he thinks, the way he works, I know how he adapts his driving style. He’ll be on the money pretty quickly.”
Williams has enjoyed a strong opening to the 2025 campaign, sitting fifth in the Constructors’ Championship with 19 points after three races, largely thanks to Alex Albon’s consistent top-10 finishes. Sainz’s absence from FP1 will not affect his participation in the remainder of the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, with the Spaniard set to return for FP2, qualifying, and the race itself.